(1) (a) There is currently no full-time Chief Education Specialist at the Department of Basic Education (DBE) responsible for schools for the Deaf. The Project Manager for the implementation of SA Sign Language (SASL) is fulfilling this role and supporting schools for the Deaf. She has 11 years experience of the education of Deaf learners as well as 8 years experience in managing curriculum adaptations in schools for the Deaf.
(b) The project manager has the following qualifications:
(2) (a) and (b) None
(3) The duration of the training of teachers is sufficient to prepare them for the implementation of CAPS for SASL.
The training conducted by DBE focused on the SASL CAPS as well as the basic skills that teachers and Deaf Teacher Assistants need to teach in the implementing Grades. The training conducted to the first group of Foundation Phase teachers was more elementary to align with the curriculum in that phase, while the training offered to the higher grades, increased in terms of depth and scope. The teaching and assessment of the four key skills were emphasised, namely, Observing and Signing, Visual Reading and Viewing (literature), Recording and Language Structure and Use.